At $28,552/yr net price, Saint Mary's College graduates earn $59,354/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,354/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,552 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $114,208 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,354/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,354/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 76.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,918/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $26,610/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,529/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,396/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,026/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,599 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $53,537 | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $45,715 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $41,342 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,737 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor | $32,382 | $26,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,896 | $26,733 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
76.5% of students at Saint Mary's College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 24% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Saint Mary's College gives you a solid financial return if you pick the right major, and a shaky one if you don't. The median graduate earns enough to service the roughly $27,000 in debt most students leave with, and the 76.5% graduation rate plus 83.6% retention mean you're likely to finish and start earning. But the spread between programs is wide, and where you land inside it decides whether the $28,552 yearly net price pays off.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program and carries the same debt load as everything else, so the return on that degree beats the others by a comfortable margin. Business administration follows behind it. Both put you in a position to cover your loans without strain.
The teaching, communication, and political science tracks are where the math gets tight. A teacher education graduate earns well under a nurse but carries the same debt, which means the same loan payment eats a much bigger share of a smaller paycheck. If you take on the full debt for one of these majors, plan for a slower payoff.
The net price tiers hold a quirk worth watching. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay less than families in the $30,000-$48,000 band, and the $48,000-$75,000 group pays less than both middle tiers above them. If you sit in the $75,000-$110,000 range, you pay near the top rate with little of the aid that helps lower-income families.
This school fits you if you're heading into nursing or business and can manage the debt. If you're set on teaching or communication and paying close to full price, the numbers argue for comparing cheaper options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Mary's College worth the cost?
Saint Mary's College delivers average returns with graduates earning $59,354 after 10 years against a net price of $28,552 annually. The median debt of $27,000 is manageable, but some programs like education and communications show weaker earning potential compared to nursing and business.
What are the best paying majors at Saint Mary's College?
Nursing programs at Saint Mary's College offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $59,599 annually. Business administration follows at $53,537, while education and communications majors earn significantly less at $40,737 and $41,342 respectively.
How much debt do Saint Mary's College graduates have?
Saint Mary's College graduates leave with a median debt of $27,000, which is below the national average. This debt level is generally manageable given the school's 10-year average earnings of $59,354.
Does Saint Mary's College have good financial aid?
Saint Mary's College's net price of $28,552 suggests decent financial aid for a private college, though this still represents a significant investment. The 76.5% graduation rate indicates most students complete their degrees, which helps justify the cost.